Friday 6 January 2023
The beginning of a new year can be a great opportunity to develop a new habit. One Small Step has many options for support to help you keep your resolution in 2023, or to inspire you to make the change.
One Small Step is a free lifestyle service, funded by us, to support the health and wellbeing of Devon residents.
There are friendly advisers who can support you to maintain a healthier weight, stop smoking, drink less or become more active. Our flexible support means we can help you focus on small achievable steps to fit in with your lifestyle and routine.
You can reach us by calling 01392 908 139, take a look at our website or fill out a contact form.
We have a team of stop smoking practitioners so if you are thinking about stopping smoking, text QUIT to 60777. We can offer you 12 weeks of behavioural support along with Nicotine Replacement Therapy.
You can also follow One Small Step on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter for motivational messages and healthy tips, including easy and affordable healthy meal ideas, or alcohol-free drink suggestions.
The NHS is currently exceptionally busy caring for people, which means some people are waiting longer than usual to be seen. NHS Devon, including South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, is appealing for people to choose the most appropriate service for their needs – to ensure people who need life-threatening and critical care can be treated as quickly as possible.
Their advice is:
- Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you come down with a winter bug and do not feel well enough to do your normal activities. Follow simple self-care tips from www.nhs.uk and family or friends can get good advice from the community pharmacy – a great first port of call.
- If you’re ill or injured, it’s not life threatening and you’re unsure where to turn, use 111 online or call 111 for advice. The 111 phone service can book you into NHS services if needed.
- Please do everything you can, as a relative or carer of someone in hospital, to work with NHS teams to get patients home from hospital as quickly and as safely as possible, with additional support if necessary from your local NHS community services or adult social care teams.
- Wear a face mask in healthcare settings (unless exempt), wash your hands regularly and practice social distancing where possible.
- Boost your immunity – if you are eligible, get your COVID-19 booster and flu vaccination without delay if you haven’t already.
Healthwatch Devon has launched a New Year consultation to discover more about local people’s experiences trying to access mental health services in the region.
Healthwatch in Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay is the independent consumer champion for health and social care services, ensuring the voice of the community is used to influence and improve services for local people.
They consistently gather public feedback and produce reports on local healthcare services, complete with recommendations for change, which are shared with providers and commissioners of services and used to inform plans or changes for improvement.
The first stage of the consultation is an online survey. Alternatively, you can request a printed version by emailing info@hwdevon-plymouth-torbay.org or calling free on 0800 520 0640.
|
